Viewing topic: Work visas, TEFL guide, etc.

Right, since the first update to the TEFL guide got zero response, I'm assuming it either didn't reach its recipients or nobody cares.

Nonetheless, I expect that within the next two to three months I will have gathered enough 'intelligence' on the whole visa situation to be able to make an authoritative update to the guide, this time including information on legal rights for work visa holders (not just for teachers).

The Google group just didn't take off AT ALL. Not enough takers to make it worthwhile - sorry if anyone feels cheated, but common sense has to prevail.

What I can say about the situation at present is that it is still in its infancy. There are still bugs and uncertanties.

It has come to my attention that some of our beloved schools have been trying to play this to their advantage and have gone back to the bad old days of threatening teachers with their visas (read 'deportation') to keep them under the thumb.

This, mehopes, will be stopping pretty damn soon. If you've had or are having a similar experience with a school, get in touch. All that you need here is information and a bit of guile, and you'll have those schools on their back (cloven) feet.

The main visa options at the moment are (this is a bit of reiteration of previous posts, but never mind):

1) DIY work visa via an agency. Expensive, time-consuming and not easy to do unless you are already in the country on some kind of long-term visa. More info to follow.

2) Work visa from a school. Requires a contract. Don't even think about bilking the school, or you'll deserve everything coming to you. If the school tries to shaft you, let me know.

3) Teacher visa from a school. See above.

4) Your own company in Russia, issue your own visa invitation to yourself. This is a fairly feasible option, but it requires time, trustworthy people and their time as well. The overall expense should be no more than that of obtaining a visa through an 'agency', the end result more legitimate. But takes time and patience, you need tip-top Russian OR assistance from someone that can... well, assist. I can put you in touch with very reliable people in St. Pete's that may be able to assist for a reasonable fee. Probably only really an option if you plan to actually run the company properly.

5) Student visa. Just looks more and more like a really silly option - expensive and even less legit than the above four options. Plus it gives you the lowly status of 'student'. That might, however, entitle you to discounts and stuff, but I hardly think it's worth it.

No, I didn't get any information about the guide update.
Yes, I am quite sure now that working on a student visa isn't at all legal.

The update went out about... two months ago... or more. In any case, it's almost time to update the update. I think Gmail slyly declined to send to multiple BCc's without telling me

Student visa - yeah, there is a grey area there, but it's safe to say at least that it shouldn't be legal to work as a teacher on it.

There are always doubts though - just got off the phone from someone who says he's heard first hand from people that they've been told they have to go to their home country for a work visa application. At the same time I'm told by someone who regularly provides work visa invitations that you can apply for the work visa at any embasy or consulate.

Always the case here - it's damn hard to establish facts! Wait, this is Russia, there are no facts, just shades of credibility...

Piss... On making more enquiries, it does seem that even work visas are only processed in your home country... this is a total bollocks-up if true.

Stay tuned y'all, more to come...

One way round the BS with the business visa (joking, folks, don't try this...) would be to have two passports, each with a different visa... Even better if you're a dual national

This is becoming dafter and dafter.

But yes - it looks like my solution will be along those lines, in a way - I'll get a second passport, get out of the country, send my old passport to an agency in the UK to get the work visa put in it and then have it sent back to... well, wherever I plan to pick it up from, and then bugger off down to Crimea for a few weeks of lazing in the sun

Well, I look forward to the update of the update!
Re the student visa: I don't see why it should be wrong. Sure, if you don't study much at all, then it's a con, but as in England, there's no reason why you shouldn't study the local language and spend up to 12 hours supporting yourself. But, as you say, it's Russia.

Oh, and I don't know if you'd be interested in linking up a bit; I've got links with some other TEFL sites as well as a university or two. Each of the following couplets comprises of the link I'd like and the reciprocal link you'd get. (The latter one is the CareerSteer general career choice test, which is free!)

http://www.careersteer.org/tefl/TEFLquiz_intro.html
http://www.careersteer.org/tefl/TEFLlinks.html

http://www.careersteer.org/
http://www.careersteer.org/links.html

Cheers, Cole